Alright, 2017 - you got me. You were a little rough on me and my family there at the end. We have been on your very 2017 rollercoaster, and we are 2017'd out!

Just in these last few weeks we have had a couple of rounds of severe and contagious illnesses pass through the family. One illness involved quite a bit of projectile vomiting. (Can I get a Lysol sponsorship here??)

The Parent Wish List

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Toddler parents can find ourselves at odds with extended family, grandparents, friends, co-workers around holiday time. The last thing we want to do is add to the chaos in their household with obnoxious gifts, or toys that just go unused and add to the clutter. So when grandma presents a perfectly wrapped package, we shudder in fear...is it ANOTHER noise-making machine? Is it a box full of permanent markers?? Is it a...box full of CANDY???

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I firmly believe self-development is a constant process. We retain so little of our book learning. We have to go back and refresh our skills constantly, or should I say "sharpen the saw". I've created a list of the GAME CHANGER "business" books I CANNOT live without. Ok, I could live without them, but I would not be nearly as productive, successful, motivated, or focused as I am without these go-to books. They are my business and productivity bibles, and I go back to them with every new major business venture I've taken on. And funny enough, I get new insight each and every time. I'm currently re-reading Dale Carnegie's book, and although it's my fourth or fifth read, I'm like wow - this stuff is GOLD for me right now.

What are your go-to business books? Any Rich Dad, Poor Dad fans out there? That one has always been on my radar, but I've never got around to it.

Assessing Financials of Your Start-Up Ventures & The Ugly Side of the Side Hustle

Last week I took the time to put some numbers to paper for my 3 baby start-up ventures (HTX Mom Blog, The Modern Wreath Co., and The Social Admin).

I calculated the income I thought I could make in the next few months of my 3 start-ups. Then I did the same for the first year, and then I went balls to the wall and hopped on the “what if my wildest dreams came true” train and forecasted out 5 years of kicking ass and taking names, hard-earned entrepreneurial income.

I calculated what my projected expenses would be for these start-ups for the first few months, first year, and the those amazing and dreamy first 5 years.

I estimated the value of my time, as in I actually assigned myself a rate per hour.​And what I came up with was…

Fall is a period of transition. For me it’s a time of inner reflection and an opportunity to get those things checked off my to do list in preparation to batten down the hatches for the upcoming winter months. The focus shifts to our family school year routine and the upcoming holiday period where everything seems a bit more cozy. What a beautiful time of year!

Not only are the seasons and my family in a transitional state, so is HTX Mom blog.

Hey Mommas, Friends and Family!
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I've done the hard work for you! I have combed the Amazon Prime Sale (it's on now for one day only, and there is a TON to sift through), and here are some super awesome finds that help out around the house, are good for baby, are better for toddlers and are amazing for momma. Check out my short list so you don't have to spend hours perusing the sale like I did. Ain't nobody got time for that!

Just click the pictures to go directly to the item for more product details. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

Hand over heart - I have bought most of these items for my own personal use and for use in our home within the last year. They WORK! Or they are just so darn cute, whichever fits.

I'm heading out on vacation ASAP, so I'm going to throw in a beach vacay wish list too.

As a student at the business school at Rice University, I had the opportunity to meet Warren Buffett at Berkshire Hathaway Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. If you follow the now 86 year old business magnate at all, the "Oracle of Omaha" was just as you might imagine - jovial, optimistic, playful, wise, and candid...

John and I have plotted out our plan to make a jump from the corporate world to being full-time entrepreneurs. The course ahead is fraught with many, MANY unkonwns. So why would anyone willingly invite that uncertainty into their lives? Why not remain where the paycheck is a pretty sure thing, health care costs are partially covered and there is some security about the future?

For us, the certainty of a corporate job was becoming a lot less clear.